AUS vs SA: Tim David's heroics stir Australia past South Africa in first T20I

Australia have continued their winning streak in the T20I format after defeating South Africa by 17 runs in the home T20I series opener, where Tim David was the hero for the Aussies with the bat.

Marrara Oval in Darwin hosted its first T20I, which was also the venue's first international cricket match since 2008. After South African captain Aiden Markram chose to field first, Australia scored 178 all out. It was the first time South Africa bowled out Australia in a T20I match. In reply, Proteas were restricted to 161/9. With this victory, hosts Australia have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. It was the ninth straight T20I win for Australia. 

[Watch] RCB Power-Hitter Smashes Enormous 109m Six in AUS vs SA 1st T20I

Tim David rescued Australia from 75/6

Aussie top-order batters' over-aggressive approach little backfired on the hosts as they were batting at 71/4 at the end of the powerplay. Although there were some powerful hits, especially from Cameron Green, who scored 35 off just 13 balls with four fours and three sixes, regular wickets falling put the hosts under pressure. Soon, the hosts were struggling at 75/6. While Australia's 100+ score was a dream at that moment, Tim David kept his cool and produced a memorable T20I knock.

David had a 59-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis (17) for the seventh wicket and another 30-run partnership with Nathan Ellis for the eighth wicket, where the no.5 batter played the important roles. The right-handed middle-order batter completed his 50 runs in 29 balls, and since then, he regularly worked for boundaries. David was dropped twice, while Tristan Stubbs' drop in the 16th over cost the visitors hugely. 

Before his dismissal in the 19th over, David scored 83 off 52 balls with four fours and eight sixes. Only he and Green managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings, while captain Mitchell Marsh (12), Ben Dwarshuis (17), and Nathan Ellis (12) were the other to reach the double-digit scores in that innings. 

Among the South African bowlers, Kwena Maphaka took four wickets (4/20), while Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets (2/29), and spinner Senuran Muthusamy was also very good with the ball (1/24). 

Aussie pacers controlled the game

At the end of the powerplay, South Africa scored 48/3, as Aiden Markram (12), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (14), and Dewald Brevis (2) were dismissed early. Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs put up a strong fightback with a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket. But after Stubbs was out for 37 off 27 balls (five fours), Rickelton fought lonely without any support from the other end, and the visitors failed to catch up the required run rate. After scoring 50 runs in 43 balls, Rickelton continued his innings till the last over, when he was dismissed after scoring 71 off 55 balls with seven fours and one six.  

Among the Aussie bowlers, Josh Hazlewood (3/27) and Ben Dwarshuis (3/26) got three wickets each, and Adam Zampa (2/33) picked up two wickets, while Glenn Maxwell (1/29) also took a wicket.